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Hey! I'm Beth, the DC-based blogger behind Beth's Journey. I write about all things weight loss, healthy living, and Weight Watchers and am currently on a mission to get back to Lifetime! I hope you find inspiration, ideas, and recipes as you browse. Thanks for stopping by!

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Today marks three weeks after surgery, which means I’m at the half way point of the main phase of healing! Exciting stuff.

Honestly, I feel pretty much 95% at this point. I’m still limited in what I can do and have been taking it way easier than I normally do, but I’m definitely at the point of forgetting that I just had major surgery a few weeks ago. I had a follow up appointment this week with Ruff Plastic Surgery, and I got a Medsculpt Massage, saw Dr. Ruff for a follow up, and met with Sharonda to discuss scar treatment. Dr. Ruff is incredibly impressed with my progress and is so pleased with the results thus far, which made me happy. He was impressed with how well I’m healing and reminded me that my shape is only going to get better as all the swelling goes away – which I can’t even fathom.

Dr. Ruff said at four weeks post op (one week from today) I can get on a treadmill and work up gradually from walking to running. For now, exercise is limited to walking (not on a treadmill), but by 6 weeks I can resume all activity, including running, yoga, and weights. So I’m halfway there! I have also really lucked out with swelling and bruising – both have been pretty minimal. As you saw right after surgery, I was pretty bruised on my back, but it went away before the two week mark and so I feel lucky (and also like I picked a really talented surgeon). Unless I run into a problem, I don’t go back for another follow up until the 6 week mark, which is when I’ll get my official post-op pictures and weight as well as meet with Dr. Ruff again.

As far as changes from the past week:

I am barely sore at all anymore, except for here and there. Sometimes I am a little sore at the end of the day if I’ve had a particularly active day, but I haven’t been taking any Tylenol for well over a week, and I wake up feeling a lot better in the mornings than I was. I have been sleeping on my side since a couple days after surgery (with the OK from Dr. Ruff), but I am naturally a stomach sleeper. I still can’t lay or sleep on my stomach because it still feels too tight and uncomfortable, but that’s pretty much my only limitation at this point (besides the exercise thing).

I went back to work at the office this past week and it felt good! I was worried I’d tire easily, but honestly it felt really good to get back to my normal routine and I had plenty of energy throughout the day.

I have really enjoyed not wearing the foam pads, which I said goodbye to one week ago today.

I started treating my incision with Biocorneum – a topical silicone scar treatment. John, the Biocorneum rep for Dr. Ruff’s office, saw my post last week and offered me a complimentary bottle, so I feel lucky to have gotten it for free (though with the investment of the surgery, treating the scar is not something I would skimp on regardless). I’ve been using it twice a day and have been taking pictures, so hopefully I’ll start to notice improvements soon. Once all the scabs are gone (which should be within the week), I am also going to start using a silicone strip over the incision which is supposed to help fade and flatten the scar greatly as well.

I went shopping yesterday because a looooot of my clothes don’t fit that well anymore, (AND I no longer have to fear form-fitting clothes!) and for the first time in my life, I bought a size 6 black skirt! Granted, it’s pretty snug right now, and I’m pretty sure the store I bought it from runs big, but still! I also bought a couple size small shirts, which was almost as exciting.

They say not to step on the scale for the first 6-8 weeks post surgery, but I have been because I’m not letting it bother me, I’m just curious. I stayed about the same weight as before surgery for the first week or so after surgery, and since then my weight has gradually been going down as the swelling goes down. I haven’t been weighing myself daily, but the last time I weighed myself I was down 14 pounds from before surgery – which means I’ve lost some weight on top of what they removed during surgery. My official pre-op weight was 178 pounds, and the last time I stepped on the scale it said 164 (which coincidentally was my official Weight Watchers goal weight way back when). Apparently this number is going to keep going down as I get rid of the rest of the swelling (which is barely detectable at this point to me).

I’ve noticed my bras have been fitting really poorly. I think I wasn’t in the right size before surgery, and then with the flank lipo during surgery, my band size may have been affected. I went to Target yesterday to try on a few different sizes, and I was off by one cup size and two band sizes from what I was wearing before yesterday. Whoops! What a difference it makes to be wearing a more appropriate size.

And now, for the progress pics! I’m definitely noticing looking flatter and having a more defined waist this week, though it’s a subtle difference.

These are from yesterday, which is 20 days post op:

That line up my side is an indent from the compression garment, which I’m still wearing 24/7 for another 1-3 weeks. Starting at 4 weeks, I can wear the compression garment for 12 hours and a spanx-like garment for the other 12, though I’m told the more I wear the compression garment the better, so I may just do that.

And here is a side by side of 1 week v. 2 weeks v. 3 weeks post op.

Overall, I am super pleased with my progress, and excited to see where I am 3 weeks from now when I hit the 6 week mark. I imagine the changes will be more and more subtle at the weeks go on, but I am already so happy with the results that I would do it again in a heartbeat.

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18 Comments on Three Weeks Post Op

I am so excited for you! Your resulta look just amazing and it’s wonderful that you feel so good so soon! I’m currently 5 days post op and doing pretty well (had my first break down and cry last night because I was tired of being waited on) if you are interested to see my results please visit my site (and could you leave a comment? Nobody has yet and I’m scared that it doesn’t work) I am keeping my fingers crossed that my progress goes as well as yours has! Congratulations on the new you!!

Beth

August 19, 2013 at 9:36 am (5 years ago)

Hi Alicia – I had my fair share of breakdowns around the same time – it’s totally normal. At 5 days post op, my mom helped me take a second shower and I just sobbed and sobbed afterwards because I felt so helpless. The good news is, you’re over the worst of it, and you’ll notice improvements kick in FAST any minute now. I’ll definitely take a look over at your blog – thanks for sharing!

Beth

August 19, 2013 at 9:26 am (5 years ago)

Hi Samantha! I actually have been looking into that place – I know there’s one in Tyson’s Corner. I think Intimacy was on Oprah and I know they do free sizing, but the bras are super expensive. That said, you do wear one every day, so it’s probably worth the investment!

Erin

August 19, 2013 at 9:40 am (5 years ago)

I 2nd the professional bra fitting. It was one of the BEST decisions (relatively speaking) that I’ve made – it’s really amazing what a difference it makes to be in the correct size (I couldn’t believe how off I was!). The bra’s ARE expensive, but I invested in one really good bra, then when to target or Vicotria’s Secret for the rest – in the correct size! Totally worth it.

Beth

August 19, 2013 at 10:51 am (5 years ago)

I have heard Nordstrom does good bra sizing – have you heard anything about it?? I was wearing a 38B (down from a 42DD) and when I sized myself (with a tape measure) I was supposed to be a 34C! So yesterday that’s what I got and WHAT a difference.

Michelle

August 19, 2013 at 10:33 pm (5 years ago)

My mom had a sizing done at Nordstrom and said it was a great experience (the staff were super professional and helpful) and she noticed a difference in her posture and back pain when she was finally wearing the right size.

You look fantastic, but most importantly you sound SO happy. It’s great to read =]